Shoe heel



ug. 20, 1940. B VF, CQNVY 2,212,263

SHOE HEEL Filed Feb. 29, 1940 WWW Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to shoe heels. An object of the invention is to provide a shoe heel with novel ornamenting means.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe heel embodying this invention; i Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2--2, Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are side elevations of heels showing applications of the invention.

A shoe heel embodying this invention and, as specifically shown on the accompanying drawing, includes an opaque block l, which may be of wood orits equivalent, formed in the shape of a heel with a concave heel seat 2, whereby it is adapted to be attached to a shoe upper in any conventional manner. 'Ihe opaque block I has one or more orifices 3` extending therethrough from side to side. This orifice, or orifices, may be filled by an insert 4 fitting the orice and having its ends 5 substantially ush with the sides of the block. The inserts 4, of light transmitting material, preferably polymethyl methacrylate, have all of their surfaces polished. The block l may have a pliable covering of leather, u cloth, Celluloid or the like, indicated by the numeral 6, with edges 'l of the material turned in and secured to the wall o! the orifices.

The oriilce or oriiices 3 may be cylindrical in form or may have a cross section other than circular. Such a diiierent form is illustrated in Fig. 4, where the cross section is a trapezium. A cylindrical bore and cylindrical insert has some Aadvantages in that such a bore can be cheaply and accurately made to correspond to stock cylindrical rods. In that case the inserts 4 may be cut from stock rods of the material. The inserts, of course, may be molded individually, or

they may be cut and fashioned from block stock.

Reference to Fig. 4 will indicate the possibilities n in the use of odd or irregular shapes for ornamental purposes.

Figs. 5 and 6 indicate the possibilities of the use of cylindrical inserts in connection with novel or unusual conformation of the breast of the heel. Fig. 5 indicates a heel which does not have a covering of pliable material. In this case the wood heel is nished by applying a lacquer to its surface. It will be understood also that the invention can b e applied to shoe heels such as wedge heels, which Adepart even further from the conventional than the heels shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Where a covering is used the block is preferably reamed about the edges of the orices, as best shown in Fig. 2, to receive the inturned edges 'l of the covering. A

The inserts 4 are of light transmitting material, either transparent or translucent, and either 5 colored or colorless. This material may be glass or a plastic, and of such materials polymetllyl methacrylate, better known under the trade name Lucite, is preferable because of its exceptional optical properties. By polishing the surfacesof the inserts those surfaces adjacent the walls of the orifices form their own mirror, as viewed flom the ends of the inserts. 'I'his enhances light reiiection and transmission and obviates the necessity of providing any flnish on the walls of the orifices. This also obscures cement which may be used for fastening the inserts in place.

It willbe obvious from the foregoing description that the invention accomplishes its objects. l

I claim: 20

l.` A shoe heel including an opaque block adapted to be attached to a shoe upper and having an orifice extending therethrough from side to side, and an insert of polymethyl methacrylate itting said orice with its ends substantially iiush with the sides of said block.

2. A shoe heel including an opaque block adapted to be attached to a shoe upper and having an orifice extending therethrough from side to side, and a transparent insert fitting said orifice with its ends substantially iiush with the sides of said block.

3. A shoe heel including an opaque block having an orifice extending therethrough from side to side, and a light transmitting insert tting said oriiice with its ends substantially liush with the sides of said block.

4. A shoe heel including an opaque block adapted to be attached to a shoe upper and having an orice extending therethrough, a covering of pliable material about the block with edges turned in and secured to the wall of the orifice, and a light transmitting insert tting saidoriiice with its ends substantially flush with the side of said block.

5. A shoe heel including an opaque block adapted to be attached to a shoe upper and having an orifice extending therethrough from sideto side, and a transparent insert with all of its surfaces polished, iitting said orice, and 50 its ends substantially iiush with the sides of said block.

BERNARD F. CONVY. 

